Seretide Disk

fluticasone + salmeterol

What is Seretide?

Seretide contains fluticasone and salmeterol. Fluticasone is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances that cause inflammation. Salmeterol is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing.

Seretide is used to prevent asthma attacks. Seretide is also used prevent flare-ups or worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.

Seretide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Seretide

Do not use Seretide to treat an asthma attack that has already begun.

Before using Seretide, tell your doctor if you have a food or drug allergy, heart disease, high blood pressure, a seizure disorder, an infection, a weak immune system, diabetes, glaucoma, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, a thyroid disorder, or liver disease.

Call your doctor right away if you feel that this medicine is not working as well as usual, or if it makes your condition worse. Salmeterol has been shown to increase the risk of asthma-related death. It is critical that you use only the prescribed dose of this medicine and follow all patient instructions for safe use of the medication.

Before using Seretide

Do not use Seretide if you are allergic to fluticasone (Flonase, Flovent) or salmeterol (Serevent), or if you are having an asthma attack. Salmeterol has been shown to increase the risk of asthma-related death. It is critical that you use only the prescribed dose of this medicine and follow all patient instructions for safe use of the medication.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using Seretide, tell your doctor if you have:

• a food or drug allergy;
• heart disease or high blood pressure;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• an infection of any kind;
• a weak immune system;
• diabetes;
• glaucoma;
• tuberculosis;
• osteoporosis;
• a thyroid disorder; or
• liver disease.

Seretide is in pregnancy category C. Seretide may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Seretide without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Seretide can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication.

Long-term use of steroids may lead to bone loss (osteoporosis), especially if you smoke, if you do not exercise, if you do not get enough vitamin D or calcium in your diet, or if you have a family history of osteoporosis.

How should I use Seretide?

Use Seretide exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Seretide comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use, and directions for priming the inhaler device. Follow these directions carefully.

Seretide Disk is a powder form of fluticasone and salmeterol that comes with a special inhaler device pre-loaded with blister packs containing measured doses of the medicine. The device opens and loads a blister each time you use the inhaler. This device is not to be used with a spacer.

If you also use a steroid medication, do not stop using the steroid suddenly or you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor about using less and less of the steroid before stopping completely.

Asthma is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

Carry an identification card or wear a medical alert ID to let others know that you may need an oral steroid in an emergency. Store Seretide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include angina or chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeats, seizures, tremor, weakness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Do not use a second form of salmeterol (such as Serevent) or use a similar inhaled bronchodilator such as formoterol (Foradil) unless your doctor has told you to.

Seretide can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medicines.

Seretide side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing);
• fast or uneven heart beats, restless feeling, tremor;
• fever, chills, stabbing chest pain, cough with yellow or green mucus;
• blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; or
• worsening asthma symptoms.

Less serious Seretide side effects include:

• headache, dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• dry mouth, nose, or throat;
• stuffy nose, sinus pain, cough, sore throat; or
• hoarseness or deepened voice.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect Seretide?

Before using Seretide, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• amiodarone (Cordarone);
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• HIV medicines such as atazanavir (Reyataz), ritonavir (Norvir), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), or saquinavir (Invirase);
• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam);
• an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), fluoxetine (Prozac), nefazodone, or imipramine (Tofranil); or
• antibiotics such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or telithromycin (Ketek); or
• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Seretide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Seretide.